In the United States, more than 18 million Americans suffer from depression. Many people do not realize that depression causes more symptoms than just sadness or self-loathing. Depression can also cause serious symptoms that can adversely impact the quality of your life, including suicidal thoughts, fatigue and much more. 

Depression can occur at any age; however, individuals between the age of 40 and 49 are at the greatest risk for experiencing depression. Unfortunately, approximately 80 percent of depression cases are not being treated.

Depression can affect your health in a number of ways. Sadness and emptiness can prevent you from beginning activities like enjoying the outdoors, interacting with other people and exercising, which could help improve your overall mood. In addition to this, depression can impact your productivity and performance on the job. If depression is left unchecked, it can interfere with every aspect of your life.

Depression can also have severe consequences on your health. If depression is left untreated, your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes increase. Depression can also lead to obesity because patients do not "feel" like exercising. When you look at how depression affects every aspect of the mind and body, you will quickly realize that it has the potential to destroy the health and relationships of the patient and hold the patient captive.

Depression is a complex mental disorder that has a number of causes, such as illness, the death of a loved one, conflict, abuse, illness and other life events that change a person's comfort zone such as graduating or moving according to Claritychi.com. Depression can also be brought on by substance abuse. If you want to manage or eliminate your depression, you must determine the source of your depression. A psychiatrist is a great tool to use to help you determine the root cause of your depression and provide the treatment you need to overcome your depression.

A psychiatrist understands the complexity of depression and has many tools in their arsenal that can be used to treat depression. Because the root of a patient's depression may be physical, the psychiatrist may prescribe medications to treat the symptoms of depression that you are experiencing. Typically, depression treatments will involve a combination of psychotherapy and medications. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, abbreviated CBT, is a treatment often used for treating depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy discovers underlying thought patterns and behaviors that can be causing the patient's depression. CBT treatment helps to identify negative thought patterns. Once these thought patterns are identified, you along with your psychiatrist will work to replace negative thought patterns with more positive thought patterns. CBT helps behavioral issue triggers so that you can fully break the cycle that causes depression. CBT helps you to become more aware of negative thought patterns and helps you replace these negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

One of the best benefits that a psychiatrist offers is a patient will typically get relief from their depression symptoms quickly. Unlike other types of therapy, a depressed patient will typically see improvement within ten to twenty psychiatric sessions. The help that you will receive from your psychiatrist can help you make positive changes in your relationships, your productivity and your health.

A lack of objectiveness is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for depressed patients. This can make it difficult to identify which factors cause you to make poor decisions and cause distorted perceptions. A psychiatrist can help you become more aware of these issues. Thi is critical when you are trying to battle depression and other mental illnesses.

Psychiatric treatment has been shown to have an almost immediate effect on depression. Seeing a psychiatrist is the first step toward improving your self-esteem, your mood and your physical health.

Getting a grasp on your stress and lowering it can reduce the risk for chronic disease and improve your cardiovascular health. As you better understand your depression and begin dealing with it, your confidence will increase. This can provide a plethora of health benefits, including increased exercise, socialization and improve appetite. All of these can help set you on the path to improved health and well-being.

Many people think that depression is a sign of weakness and refuse to see out professional help because they are embarrassed. talking with a trusted friend can help; however, a psychiatrist is the only one that you can depend on for total confidentiality. The code of ethics that psychiatrists must follow ensure that everything that is said in therapy remains confidential.

There is one exception to this rule. A psychiatrist may need to break your confidentiality if they believe you are a risk to yourself or others. This exception helps to keep you safe and your friends and loved ones safe. If your depression is extremely severe, an intervention can help to save lives. This exception is a way to protect you and others from harm.

A psychaitrist can help you overcome your depression and provide a number of health benefits by developing a definitive treatment plan. Rather than living with depression, a psychitrist can help you have a happier and brighter future. All it takes is for you to make the first step and reach out to a psychiatrist for help.